Sexual Battery Arrest

 

October 25, 2022

In May of 2022 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division opened an investigation based upon a complaint filed on behalf of a 12 year old child. The child disclosed to the parent that the then boyfriend of the parent inappropriately touched her, exposed himself to her and had intercourse with her.

Detectives soon learned the suspect; Imanuel Marrero (8/18/94) fled the area when the allegations were made known. The investigation continued and detectives built their case. Months went by before Marrero was located in Escambia County. Detectives went to Escambia County and conducted an interview with him. This interview revealed sufficient information corroborating events described by the child. Detectives secured a warrant for his arrest for capital sexual battery and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child between 12 and 16 years old.

Escambia County Deputies located and arrested Marrero on October 24, 2022. Marrero was booked into the Escambia County Jail and is being held on a $350,000.00 bond. He will be transported to the Levy County Detention Center in the near future to face these charges.

Chiefland Elementary Teacher Arrested

 

October 24, 2022

A Levy County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy arrested a first year teacher at the Chiefland Elementary School for possession of a firearm on school grounds. The gun was discovered inside of her vehicle during school hours by two students (age 9 and 10 years old) whom she sent outside to get a medication out of the car for her. The fourth grade students alerted other school officials who contacted the Resource Deputy.

Possession of a firearm on school property is prohibited by School Board policy and by Florida law. The teacher, identified as Paige Ehlers (1/26/95) has been charged with child endangerment and possession of the firearm on school grounds. Her bond will be assigned at first appearance tomorrow morning.   

“While it is extremely disheartening to ever arrest a teacher, this type of violation that endangers the safety of our students cannot be tolerated,” said Sheriff Bobby McCallum. Thankfully these fourth grade students had parents that taught them about gun safety and but for that reason we may have avoided a dangerous and sad situation today,” concluded Sheriff McCallum.

Search Warrant Yields Drugs and Two Arrests

 

October 17, 2022

On October 12^th the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force concluded a month long investigation by serving a search warrant on a known drug dealer’s home. The suspect, Dabrisha Littles (4/17/89) was selling drugs from her rented home located in the City of Williston at 518 SE 4^th Drive. LCSO Drug Task Force members and Williston Police Department executed the search warrant and located a variety of illegal drugs and two loaded firearms. Littles was arrested for possession of a trafficking amount of cocaine, possession with intent to sell MDMA, possession with intent to sell Xanax and possession with intent to sell Oxycodone. She is also a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Officers additionally located Jeffery Hawkins (3/7/83) of Williston inside the home. Hawkins was in possession of narcotics and too was arrested. Littles is being held in the Levy County Detention Center in lieu of a $500,000.00 bond.

 

Shootings Under Investigation

 

October 17, 2022

Levy County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in solving two recent crimes which occurred in the East Williston community. Detectives responded to a report of a shooting in late September near County Road 318, the main thoroughfare of this subdivision. That investigation did not immediately identify all parties involved in the incident, mostly due to a lack of cooperation from witnesses. This investigation is still on-going.

Detectives later learned a conflict between two groups of young men who reside in East Williston was the reason for the exchange of gunfire. Since this incident, additional intelligence discovered by law enforcement has identified more indiscriminant gunplay has occurred but was not reported.

On Wednesday, October 12^th multiple LCSO and Williston Police Department units responded to County Road 318 to reports of more gunfire. Law enforcement identified multiple parties exchanged gunfire resulting in one person being struck. This is the second time this same individual has been injured by gunfire. He was previously shot during a drug transaction gone wrong. The injured person was uncooperative with law enforcement and this investigation has stalled.

LCSO Detectives have recovered over 70 fired shell casings from weapons to include .223 rifle rounds and various handguns during these two investigations. Detectives identified a person of interest whom they want to question. This individual, a 15 year old East Williston resident known locally by his nick name “Gucci”, has a current warrant for his arrest for violation of probation.

The violence between these two groups appears to be escalating and their total disregard for the safety of any other person is of grave concern for the Sheriff’s Office. This most recent exchange of gunfire resulted in an innocent person’s vehicle being damaged. Crime scene investigators noticed a stray bullet shattered the back window of this vehicle and the bullet lodged next to a child’s car seat. Thankfully no one was in the vehicle at the time the bullets were being fired. We again are seeking the assistance of this community to help bring an end to this violence. Anyone who wishes to give us a tip can contact Detective Rob Bowers at 352-486-5111 ext 266. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477.       

More School Fights End in Arrests

 

October 13, 2022

On October 5, 2022 the Williston Middle/High School staff and School Resource Deputy responded to three separate fights on campus during the school day. Six students between the ages of 13 and 17 have been charged with disruption of a school function. Three of these students were also arrested for battery on a school employee.

Sheriff McCallum and School Board Superintendent Cowart continue to enforce a ZERO tolerance policy and will arrest students who strike any school employee. Students who continue to not exhibit some self-control and engage in fighting will also be charged with a criminal violation. The school is an environment for learning and will not be disrupted by students who cannot follow this simple rule. These students also face disciplinary action by the School Board to include expulsion.